Plastic anchor member



July 5, 1960 G. M. RAPATA PLASTIC ANCHOR MEMBER Filed Jan. 24, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 1 w 2 INVENTOR.

o yefl wm wg/ Juiy 5, 1960 s. M. RAPATA PLASTIC ANCHOR MEMBER 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Filed Jan. 24, 1957 her and the panel.

United statfis 2,943,373 'PLASTIC ANCHOR MEMBER George M. Rapata,Chicago, Il1., assignor to Illinois Tool Works, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Illinois Filed 12111.24, 1957, Ser.No..636 ,1'31 4 j '6Claims. 01. 24-216) :or stud, which receptacle is formed with springlike portions for resiliently urging other portions thereof intoengagement with a stud element or the like inserted into the receptaclein a manner which minimizes concentration of forces within the materialof the receptacle to an extent which might over stress the material.

more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novelplastic receptacle of the'above described type. wherein thespringp'ortions therefor are formed so that they may be repeatedlyflexed without injury thereto 'SOMlhttt the receptacle is particularlyadapted for use an anchor member when it is contemplated; that a 1. studwill be repeatedly applied to andrenioved from the anchor 'member.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelanchor member or receptacle'of the above described type which is adaptedto beapplied to an apertured work-piece or panel and which isconstructed so that flexing of the spring portions thereof duringapplication or removal of a stud element will not adversely' eifect' theconnection between the anchor mem- A further specific object of thepresent invention is to provide a novel receptacle or anchor member ofthe above described type which is adapted to accommodate a stud elementeven though the stud element may be displaced, within limits, from thecentral longitudinal axis of the anchor member. i Other objects andadvantages oflthe present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is an exploded perspective view-partially broken away showing anovel receptacle or anchor member incorporating the features of thepresent invention 'anda stud in position to be inserted into the anchormember;

corporating the features of the present invention, and

vmore specifically, Fig. 2 shows an anchor member disposed for receivingand supporting a stud like end portion of a sun visor of the type usedinv trucks or buses;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional. view showing a stud likeelement inserted into the novel anchor member which is assembled with anapertured workpiece; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 inFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. l but shows a modified form of the presentinvention;

Fig. '6 is a partial sectional View showing an assembly of the elementsof Fig. 5; i 7 e taken along line '7-7 in Fig. 6;

atent f 2.943.373" Patented July 5, 195g Fig.8 is'a headend view of theanchor member-shown in Figs. 5-7; I a Fig. 9 is a'perspective viewshowing an anchor'meiriber embodying another modified form of thepresent invention;

Fig. 10- is a sectional view of the anchor member taken 7 along lineIii-10 in Fig. 9 and further shows in solid and broken lines a studelement respectively in a position 'tobe assembled with the anchormember and in assembled relationship with the anchor member;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a further slightly modified formof the present invention; 1

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing anotherembodiment of thepresentinvention;

a Fig. 13 is a perspective'view showing a receptacle incorporating thefeatures of the present invention in. the form ofv a knob applied to anelongated stud element or lever suchfor example a heater control leverin an automobile; 1 V Fig. '14 is an enlarged partial sectional viewtaken along line 14--14 in 1 3; and

Fig. 15' is "a cross sectional view of the receptacle or "knob takenalong line 15-45 in Fig. 14.

Referringnow mor'e'specifically to the drawings wherein like partsaredesignated by the same numerals throughout the variousfi'guresareceptacle or anchor member 26 incorporating one embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in Figs 1-4. The anchor member is preferablymolded from a suitably resilient plastic material such as nylon andisprovided with a head portion 22 engageable with one side of a workpieceor panel 24,

and a shank portion 26-insertable through an aperture 28 in theworkpiece." -A central axially extending aper tune or recess 30 .isprovided through the anchor member for receiving an end of a studelement 32 ion manner which will be more fully described hereinbelow.

In the structure shownfor the purpose of illustrating the presentinvention, the stud element 32 extends laterally from a free end of abar 3 4 which carries a sun visor 36, which bar has its opposite endpivotally supported by a device 38 of known construction. The sun visormaybe of a: relatively large type such as that used in trucks. and.buses so that when it is swung to'a position for use the free end of thebar 34 must be supported to prevent it from sagging. In such aninstallation, the anchor member 20 will be located on the workpiece orpanel 24 which forms a part'ofthe vehicle at a position for rewill beappreciated that in such an installation the stud I :55 Fig. 2 is afragmentary perspective view one reduced scale and illustrates one useof an anchor-member inl P170 Fig. 7 1s a cross sectional view of theanchor member eeiving thestud element which extends from. thebar. It

element 32 will be inserted into and removed from'the anchor memberrepeatedly over a given time. 7

It is to'be particularly. noted that the shank portion 2610f theanchormember presents in transverse cross' section a pair of generallyoppositely disposed G-shaped sections 40 and 42 which provide a springaction and are integrallyjoined byopposite side portions 44 and 46. Theouter surfaces-of the G-shaped sp-ring portions 40 and '42. taperslightly from the head portion 22 toward their entering free ends, andthe oppositely flattened side sections44 and 46-Tconverge relativelysharply toward their free entering ends from an intermediate area oftheshank portion so as to facilitate insertion of the shank portion throughthe workpiece aperture and also to locate the free terminal ends of theside portions 4 4 and 46 a distance apart which is substantially lessthan the space in between the .free ends of the-C-shaped sections asshown best in Fig. 4. Transversely extending ribs 48 and 50 v are formedintegral with the'side portions 44 and 46 adjacent their free enteringends for cooperating with the stud element inthemanner described below,which ribs are formed with concave surfaces 52 and 54 respectively forconforming to the stud element.

chor member.

ber is provided with integral, means insertable through the workpieceaperture and engageable behind the workpiece .ino'pposition to theheadportion 22. In this embodiment this means comprises a pair ofshoulders, 56 and 58 having laterally diverging surfaces between theheadportion :and the converging portions of the opposite side sections 44and 46, which shoulders are adapted to be snapped through the workpieceaperture for engaging behind the workpiece.

The portion of the stud element 32 which is insertable within the anchormember is provided with an annular groove or reduced diameter section 60adjacent an entering end section 62 thereof. The entering end section ispointed so as to facilitate passage thereof through the an- As' will beunderstood, the stud element is assembled with the anchor member merelyby inserting it through the aperture or recess 30 until the trans- :andthey opposite side sections 44 and 46 to be spread apart sufliciently topermit passage of the end section 62. In order to enable the sidesections 44 and '46 to spread apart, the generally C-shaped sections 40and 42 are flexed so that their C configuration is opened from itsnormal condition. When the end section 62 has passed the ribs,

the C-shaped sections spring back toward their normal shapes andcontract the side sections 44 and 46 and urge the ribs for engagementwith the shoulders of the stud element provided by the opposite sides ofthe groove .60. It will be noted that during insertion of the studelement the flexing of the anchor member is accomplished in a mannerwhich minimizes concentration of stresses so that any possibility offailure of the anchor member is substantially reduced. The flexingaction just described is, of course, repeated when the stud element ismanually withdrawn from the anchor member. It will be noted that eitherduring insertion of the stud element or withdrawal of the stud elementthe flexing action of the anchor member shank portion will not adverselyeffect the manner in which the shoulders 56 and 58 engage the workpiece,but to the contrary, the spreading of the side sections 44 and 46 willcause the shoulders 56 and58 to 'be urged .even more aggressively intoengagement with the workpiece so that any possibility of the anchormember becoming disassembled from the workpiece is minimized.

Figs. 58 show a modified form of the present invention wherein elementssimilar to those described above are identified by the same referencenumerals with the sufiix 0 added. This embodiment difiers primarily inthat the anchor member is widened substantially transversely of theC-shaped spring sections so as to provide a relatively wide recess oraperature for receiving the stud element. Thus, the stud'element neednot be axially aligned with the central axis of the anchor member 20a inorder to be inserted into the'anchor member. This feature is especiallyuseful in an installation 'suchas that shown in Fig. 2 wherein thelength of the rod'34 might be either too long or too short. Thisembodiment also shows how the stud element may be formed with a roundedentering end section 62a rather than a pointed end section.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown another embodiment of the presentinvention which is similar to thestructures described above as indicatedby the application of identical reference numerals with the suffix badded to corresponding elements. This embodiment is particularly adaptedfor use as a latch for a cabinet structure or the like when the anchormember b is applied to a fixed part of the structure and the studelement 32b is secured to a door, not shown, of the cabinet structure.In this embodiment the opposite side sections 44b and 46b converge so asto position the transverse ribs 48b and 50b'relatively close together.In order to accomplish this while forming the C-shaped sections ofsufiicient size and wtih a desired radius to obtain proper springaction, the C-shaped sections are provided with inwardly directedcontinuations 6466 and 6870. In this embodiment the shoulder means 56band 581) are located on the sides of the C- shaped sections so thattheir engagement with a workpiece or panel will besubstantiallyundisturbed during insertion or removal of the stud element 32b andflexing of the anchor member shank portion.

A further slightly modified embodiment ofthe present invention is shownin 'Fig. 11 wherein elements similar to those described above aredesignated by the same reference numerals with the suffix c added. Thisstructure differs from the anchor member shown in Figs. 9 and 10 in thatthe shoulder means 560 comprises a pair of elements respectivelydisposed on the C-shape portions 40c and 420 adjacent the marginalextensions 64c and 68c thereof, and similar shoulder elements, notshown, are disposed on the C-shape portions adjacent the oppositemarginal extensions 66c and 70c. With this arrangement flexing of theC-shaped sections during insertion or removal of the stud element causesthe shoulder means to be urged more aggressively into engagement with aworkpiece so as to insure retention of the anchor member in assembledrelationship with the workpiece.

In Fig. 12 there is shown an anchor member 20d which is similar to theabove described structures as indicated by application of identicalreference numerals with the suflix d added to corresponding elements.This embodiment differs in that the shank portion is provided with threegenerally C-shaped spring sections 40d, 42d .72 symmetrically arrangedaround the longitudinal axis of the anchor member. The shank portion isalso provided with three side sections 44d, 46d and 74 integrallyconnecting the longitudinal margins of the C-shaped sections, each ofwhich side sections has an inwardly projecting rib or protuberancerespectively indicated by the numerals 48d, 50d and 76. In thisembodiment the C-shaped sections 40d and 42d respectively have surfacesadjacent the head portion which fiare outwardly to provide the shouldermeans 56d and 58d and the C-shape section 72 has a similar surfaceproviding a shoulder 78. While the anchor member 20d is adapted toreceive and retain the stud element in much the same manner as theanchor member described above, it may also be utilized as a rivet likefastener for securing a plurality of workpieces together, or as ananchor member for accommodating a helically threaded screw or as a plugfor closing the hole in a workpiece.

In Figs. 13-15 there is shown a receptacle 202 which incorporatesanother modified form of the present invention. In this embodiment thereceptacle is in the form of a hand knob having a continuous outer shelland an integral internal portion 26c which corresponds to the shankportions of the embodiments described above. The receptacle or knob 20eis adapted to be applied to an elongated stud element 322 which in thisembodiment is a control lever of the type frequently used in automobileheater constructions. In this embodiment the portion 26c includes a pairof oppositely disposed C- shaped spring sections 40c and 42a andelongated substantially parallel connecting side sections 442 and 46ewhich are adapted to engage and grip a substantial length of the. studelement or lever 32c. It will be appreciated that the spring action ofthe C-shape sections in this embodiment and the manner in which the studelement is gripped are similar to the corresponding functions of theabove described embodiments.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may bechanged without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows: v ,l. A one piece anchor memberhaving a coextensive peripherally continuous head portion havingmarginal portions larger than theaperture inthe workpiece and a shankportion, said shank portion being characterized as of a deformedshape'relative tosaid head 'po rtiongjand comprising at least twoelongated inwardly directed C.- shaped in transverse cross-sectionresilientspring portions forming a portion of a shank wall, at least twoelongated intermediate portions adjoining the marginal edges of one ofsaid C-shaped spring portions and disposed closer to the longitudinalaxis than the latter and forming another portion of the shank wall, saidintermediate portions including means for quick detachable engagement ofsaid stud element, said C-shaped spring portions flexing on ingress andegress of said stud element, and retaining means disposed on said shankportion in spaced relation to said head portion for retention of saidanchor member in said aperture, said C-shaped portions and saidretaining means being so arranged and configured on said shank portionwhereby flexure of said C-shaped portions on ingress and egress of saidstud element causes more agressive engagement of said retaining meanswith said workpiece.

2. A one piece plastic anchor member having a coextensive longitudinalaxial boreand adapted to be applied to an apertured workpiece for quickdetachable receipt and retention of a stud element comprising anenlarged peripherally continuous head portion having marginal portionslarger than the aperture in the workpiece and a shank portion, saidshank portion being characterized as of a deformed shape relative tosaid head portion and comprising at least two elongated inwardlydirected C-shaped in transverse cross-section resilient spring portionshaving an axial length greater than onehalf of the axial length of theshank. portion, at least two elongated intermediate portions coextensivewith and adjoining the marginal edges of one of said C-shaped springportions and disposed closer to the longitudinal axis than the latter,said intermediate portions including means for quick detachableengagement of said stud element, said C-shaped spring portions flexingon ingress and egress of said stud element, and retaining means disposedon said shank portion in spaced relation to said head portion forretention of said anchor member in said aperture, said C-shaped portionsand said retaining means being so arranged and configured on said shankportion whereby flexure of said C-shaped portions on ingress and egressof said stud element causes more aggressive engagement of said retainingmeans with said workpiece.

3. A one piece plastic anchor member having a coextensive longitudinalaxial bore and adapted to be applied to an apertured workpiece forquickdetachable receipt and retention of a stud element comprising anenlarged peripherally continuous head portion having marginal portionslarger than the aperture in the workpiece and a shank portion, saidshank portion being characterized as of a generally uniform wallthickness and of a deformed shape relative to said head portion andcomprising at least two elongated inwardly directed C- shaped intransverse cross-section resilient spring portions, at least twoelongated intermediate portions forming a portion of a shank wall andadjoining the marginal edges of one of said C-shaped spring portions anddisposed closer to the longitudinal axis than the latter, saidintermediate portions including means for quick detachable engagement ofsaid stud element, said C-shaped spring portions flexing on ingress andegress of said stud element, and retaining means disposed on said shankportion in spaced relation to said head portion for retention of saidanchor member in saidaperture, said O- shaped portions and saidretaining means;

jfle xure of said C-shaped portions 011'. ingressfanQggr 's s oftrsaidstud element causes v-moreiaggres'sive. engage 'ent ofsaid retaining.means with 7 assists ranged and; configured, on; sa d "shankv po r j qnie e.-

, .A one ,piec lastic anchor member'liaving,a o-' extensivelongitudinalaxial bore andfadaptedtoheapplied to an apertured workpiecefor quick detachable receipt and retentionof a stud element comprisingan enlarged peripherally continuous head portion having marginalportions'l'a'rg'er than the aperture in the workpiece=and ashankportion, said-shank portion bein'gicharacterized as of a deformedshape relative to said head portion and comprising at least twoelongated inwardly directed C-shaped in transverse cross-sectionresilient spring outer wall portions having an axial length greater thanone-half of the axial length of the. shank'portion,

at least two elongated substantially planar intermediate outer wallportions adjoining the marginal vedges of one of said C-shaped springportions and disposed closer to the longitudinal axis than the latter,said C-shaped spring portions flexing on ingress and egress of said studelement, retaining means disposed on said intermediate portions inspaced relation to said head portion for retention of said anchor memberin said japerture, and.

means on'said intermediate portions for quick detachable engagement ofsaid stud element.

5. A one piece anchor. member having a coextensive .longitudinalaxialbore and adapted to be applied to an apertured workpiecefor quickdetachable receipt and retention of a stud element comprising anenlarged peripherally continuous head portion having, marginal portionslarger than the aperture in the workpiece and a shank portion, saidshank portion being characterized as v of a deformed generallyrectangular shape having a relatively larger major and a relativelysmaller minor transverse axis and comprising at least two curvilinearelongated longitudinally inwardly facing O-shaped in transversecross-section resilient spring portions disposed on and defining themajor transverse axis, at least two substantially. planar elongatedintermediate wall portions adjoining the marginal edges of each of saidO-shaped spring portions and defining the relatively smaller minortransverse axis, said intermediate portions including means for quickdetachable engagement of said stud element, said O-shaped springportions flexing on ingress and egress of said stud element, andretaining means 7 disposed on said shank portion in spaced relation tosaid head portion for retention of said anchor member in said aperture,said O-shaped portions and said retaining means being so arranged andconfigured on said shank portion whereby flexure of said C-shapedportions oningress and egress of said stud element causes moreaggressive engagement of said retaining means with said workpiece.

6. A one piece plastic anchor member having a coextensive longitudinalaxial bore and adapted to be applied to an apertured workpiece for quickdetachable receipt and retention of a stud element comprising anenlarged peripherally continuous head portion having marginal portionslarger than the aperture in the workpiece and a shank portion, saidshank portion being charthe latter, inwardly directed stud engagingmeans disposed on said intermediate portions at the end of the shankportion opposite from the head portion for quick releasable retention ofsaid stud element, said stud engaging means causing flexure of saidC-shaped spring portions upon ingress and egress of said stud element,

and retaining means disposed on said shank portion in spaced relation tosaid head portion for retention of sai dianchor member in said aperture,said stud engaging meansQs aid C shaped portions and'said retainingmeans 'being soarranged and configured on said shank portion wherebyflexure of said 'jC-shaped portionson ingress and egress of said studelements causes more aggressive engagement of said retaining meanswithsaid workpiece.

References Cited in'the file of thispatent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS2,225Q472 Franklin Dec. 17, 1940

